Via: Favorite Video Games
Algebra is often described as the gateway to higher mathematics. Yet, for many, Algebra is where the road to advanced mathematical learning abruptly ends because students simply can't relate to or understand the multifarious concepts. But new research is showing that this challenge can be overcome by presenting Algebra in a way that today's students not only understand but appreciate - that is, through immersive educational video games that engage students in an exciting new world of learning.
Since my last year’s posting on the introductory Dimenxian Algebra game, educational video game company Tabula Digita has announced a series of additions to the award-winning DimensionM (TM) series of immersive, interactive educational video games.
Algebra is often described as the gateway to higher mathematics. Yet, for many, Algebra is where the road to advanced mathematical learning abruptly ends because students simply can't relate to or understand the multifarious concepts. But new research is showing that this challenge can be overcome by presenting Algebra in a way that today's students not only understand but appreciate - that is, through immersive educational video games that engage students in an exciting new world of learning.
Since my last year’s posting on the introductory Dimenxian Algebra game, educational video game company Tabula Digita has announced a series of additions to the award-winning DimensionM (TM) series of immersive, interactive educational video games.
According to Ntiedo Etuk, CEO and co-founder of Tabula Digita, the highlight of the new Evolver series is undoubtedly the multiplayer capability that allows students to compete, individually or in teams, with students from the same classroom, same building, same district, or even from across the country.
"Research shows that learning is greatly enhanced when students use critical thinking and problem solving skills in a collaborative environment," said Etuk. "Students can be brought together collectively or competitively in order to better learn from and motivate each other."
In the new Evolver Multiplayer version, students face numerous mathematical obstacles, develop team-based strategies, and navigate through a series of mazes to score the most points. This gaming format provided an immediate "need-to-know the math" environment when students in Orlando, Florida test site classrooms faced off with students from New York City and outside Atlanta in Forsyth County, Georgia.
"Research shows that learning is greatly enhanced when students use critical thinking and problem solving skills in a collaborative environment," said Etuk. "Students can be brought together collectively or competitively in order to better learn from and motivate each other."
In the new Evolver Multiplayer version, students face numerous mathematical obstacles, develop team-based strategies, and navigate through a series of mazes to score the most points. This gaming format provided an immediate "need-to-know the math" environment when students in Orlando, Florida test site classrooms faced off with students from New York City and outside Atlanta in Forsyth County, Georgia.
"Our kids really enjoyed competing against students from other states," said Jeffrey Gallup, instructional technology coordinator at Ocoee Middle School in Orlando, Florida. "The collaboration between students was amazing. They used mathematical strategies - and it paid off. This educational video game clearly helps students understand that learning math skills can be fun."
The additional new game series, Evolver Singleplayer for Pre-Algebra, uses the same model of incorporating key algebraic concepts into a contemporary game format. Here, Pre-Algebra students take part in 20 "missions" or lessons, in order to master concepts such as proportions, number lines, and adding and subtracting integers to advance through the self-competition. Additional concepts such as prime numbers, order of operations, evaluating expressions, employing function tables, and solving equations are incorporated as well.
The additional new game series, Evolver Singleplayer for Pre-Algebra, uses the same model of incorporating key algebraic concepts into a contemporary game format. Here, Pre-Algebra students take part in 20 "missions" or lessons, in order to master concepts such as proportions, number lines, and adding and subtracting integers to advance through the self-competition. Additional concepts such as prime numbers, order of operations, evaluating expressions, employing function tables, and solving equations are incorporated as well.
A supplemental curriculum solution to classroom textbooks, the Evolver series content is correlated to select state standards. It also provides automatic progress tracking for each student so teachers can provide additional instruction to help students gain mastery of specific concepts.
The Evolver games are available for purchase in five versions: single user, class license lab pack, site license and district license. Evolver Multiplayer is also available as a standalone package under site and district licensing arrangements. The software is available on both Windows and Macintosh platforms. For more information, please visit www.DimensionM.com
About Tabula Digita
Tabula Digita is an educational video game company focused on delivering innovative and effective educational games to students and institutions. Through its fusion of education and technology-based immersive learning systems, Tabula Digita successfully offers standards-based, high impact educational tools that engage middle and high school students in learning and applying pre-algebra and algebra I concepts.
In 2006 Tabula Digita received the Macworld Editor's Choice award. This year the company received the prestigious "Newcomer of the Year" CODiE Award from the Software Industry Information Association (SIIA), recognized for "offering a product that has the potential for significant impact on students and teachers." Tabula Digita was founded in Manhattan's Silicon Alley in 2003 and is the brainchild of entrepreneur Ntiedo Etuk and award-winning electronic game designer Robert Clegg.